How To Build A Sandbag For Your Weightlifting Routine

On Thursday I described how to use a sandbag in your weightlifting workouts for building muscle fast. Not long after the post went up I received numerous questions on where to purchase and how to actually construct a sand bag so that it can be used in weightlifting routines. Below I’ll describe just how you can do that.

Option 1

The first most common way to construct a sandbag is done by doing the following.

What is required?

Zip lock bags

Duct tape

Sand (from a hardware/ home improvement store)

Duffel bag

Zip ties

Construction instruction

1) Fill the zip-lock bags 3/4 full and then double up by placing the zip-lock bag with sand into an empty zip-lock bag.

2) Place those zip-lock bags into the duffel bag and then seal the bag with 2-3 zip ties.

3) Cut the ends off those zip ties and put and then secure the bag by wrapping duct tape around them.

4) You now have your sand bag.

The great thing about this type of sand bag construction is that you can adjust the weight easily when you need to by increasing/ decreasing the number of bags you have inside the duffel bag.

However, the zip-lock bags have been known to break and this has actually happened to myself on one occasion. To prevent that from happening, go for quality zip-lock bags that have a 6-millimetre thickness. Although these bags are thicker, still double them up when putting sand into them, and to make the bags even more durable, secure them with duct tape.

That method of sandbag construction has worked well for me in the past, but my favourite method for constructing sandbags is to build them without actually having sand in them.

Option 2

What is required?

Duffel bag

Zip ties

Duct tape

Wooden pellets (approx $ 5-10 per bag)

The construction of this bag is very similar to the first method, but this time around you will be using wooden pellets. The great thing about this method is that you can create many bags and very cheaply too, as each bag will only set you back around $25 max to construct. You can use other materials such as mini-marble chips, pea gravel or even dog food, but if you do go for dog food just be aware that if those bags get wet, they could start to smell.

The main thing that you want to do is use a material that will make for a sturdy and bulky bag.

Construction instruction

1) Once you have purchased the wooden pellets (which usually come in 40lb bags) pour 2 bags straight into the duffel bag.

2) To secure the bag use 2-3 of the zip ties that you have and then cut the ends off.

3) If the duffel bag has any straps then cut those of too.

4) To secure the bag, place duct tape around the zip ties.

5) You now have your sand bag (without the sand)

The last thing you will need to do is just label the bags with a permanent marker and your job is done.

The key benefits to this method of sandbag construction is that it is,

Free from mess

Much quicker to construct

More durable

If you are going to be building sandbags any time soon, then this is the option to go for.

There are many ways to workout and build muscle without a gym, and I am always finding new ways to do so. When I do, be assured that you will be the first to know.

If you have any ideas of your own, feel free to post them in the comments and we can try them out simultaneously and share them with the other stayfitbug.com readers.